Experts Say Red Light Therapy Can Reduce Wrinkles and Even Boost Hair Growth—Here Are Our Favorite Devices (2024)

We’re big fans of this do-it-all at-home skin-care gadget, which comes with an LED light therapy ring so you can reap the benefits of red light for smoothing wrinkles and blue light for combatting mild acne. It also includes a microcurrent attachment for firming skin, percussive therapy attachments to relieve tension in your face, jaw, and neck, and a cleansing attachment to remove dirt, oil, and makeup buildup. “When I've tried to add skincare tools into my beauty regimen in the past, it felt like an unnecessary hassle, but the Therabody TheraFace Pro has completely elevated and improved my skin-care routine,” notes our tester. She adds that she loves the customizable features as her skin concerns are always changing due to stress, weather, and hormonal fluctuations.

We previously tested the second generation of the Foreo UFO, noting how much brighter, tighter, and less inflamed it made our skin look. Now, the brand has released a newer version of its red light therapy mask, the Foreo UFO 3. This handy gadget is meant to be paired with one of the brand’s UFO-activated face masks (there are 14 to choose from with different uses, from brightening to hydrating). Once you securely attach your chosen mask to the device, you can select the LED light mode on the device you’d like to use (red light is one of them, but there are eight total). Then you just massage the mask into your skin in circular motions for 90 seconds to two minutes.

You may have seen this red light therapy device trending on TikTok recently. There’s a very good reason for that: This mask is one of the most affordable options (it clocks in at under $50) and uses medical-grade LED light therapy that gets deep down into the skin to effectively help certain skin issues. The red light setting stimulates collagen production and softens the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation, the blue light setting helps kill acne-causing bacteria, and the yellow light setting helps soothe irritation and swelling.

“This one is extremely popular, and for good reason,” says Yadav. “It uses five different wavelengths (blue, amber, red, deep red, and infrared) to target different layers of the skin, all the way down to the dermis, and can address everything from blemishes to skin laxity.” Yadav likes how stylish it looks too, plus the mask is hands-free and designed to conform to your face so it fits comfortably while you’re wearing it during the three-minute treatment sessions.

If you’re looking for a red light therapy device that’s compact and easily fits in your bag, then this handheld wand is the way to go. Our tester liked that it didn’t require you to sit or lie down while using it. This wand offers four different treatments, including red and blue light therapy, microcurrent therapy, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth. It’s meant to be used for five minutes, three to five times a week, to help smooth fine lines and minimize puffiness.

Yadav notes that the neck and chest can be very difficult to treat. “Skin laxity of the neck is unavoidable, and lines created from tech neck or side sleeping can be a challenge to address with in-office procedures,” she explains. She likes this at-home red light therapy device, which is designed specifically for the neck and chest because it makes treating these areas pretty simple. All you have to do is cleanse your skin, apply a few drops of CurrentBody Skin’s Green Tea Serum, choose the right strap length, attach the device, and secure it to your neck for a 10-minute, hands-free session. “You can also flip it around and use it on your back, or secure the strap differently to treat further down your chest,” she says.

“I love that this product acts as an incognito treatment—while people would definitely notice if you left the house wearing the majority of LED devices, including products designed for hair loss, this one just looks like a regular baseball hat,” says Yadav. “This also makes it very easy to use.” She notes that some LED scalp devices are combs, which aren’t as straightforward to use as simply putting on a hat, which could make this one more likely that you’ll use regularly. This is important because “hair growth in particular requires real diligence in treatment to see results,” explains Yadav.

Lips can show signs of aging like wrinkles, creases, and lack of volume too. Enter this red light therapy device made to be used on your pout. The lip-shaped gadget (how cute!) contains 56 LED red lights to stimulate collagen production in the lips. These lights penetrate the delicate skin of the lips to boost circulation, so you’ll notice fuller-looking lips with enhanced color, in addition to smoother lines.

Beyond masks and wands, panels are another popular form of red light therapy device. This red light therapy panel uses medical-grade red light to help reduce the look of fine lines, stimulate collagen production, and improve an overall more even skin tone and radiant complexion. You can also use this panel to help with muscle aches and pains and improve joint mobility. All you have to do is set it up six to 18 inches away from the intended treatment area and leave it on for up to 15 minutes, depending on what you’re looking to treat.

You can use this red light therapy device to lessen joint pain and inflammation caused by a condition (such as arthritis) or stimulate the healing of damaged tissues from a sports injury. With the adjustable strap, you can wear this device almost anywhere you have pain, including your neck, shoulder, back, ankle, elbow, hip, knee, and even your head. It combines red LED light and infrared laser light to powerfully offer pain relief in as little as a five-minute session.

This red light therapy belt is a device intended to be used on large areas of your body where you’re experiencing pain, such as your hip, back, shoulder, waist, or elbow. All you have to do is wrap the belt around the area and wear it for five to 30 minutes, in five-minute increments. You have the option to use red light, infrared light, or a combination of the two for a more powerful pain-relieving treatment. There are five brightness levels, with the highest brightness setting being the strongest and quickest-working.

One of the highest-rated red light therapy blankets on the market is this pricey pick from Hooga. The reason why red light therapy blankets cost a pretty penny is that they treat your entire body. This blanket uses 1,800 red and infrared light-emitting diodes to effectively relax your muscles, relieve pain, and help you recover in just a few minutes. Simply slip into the blanket (the red light mat comes with a neoprene outer cover) and choose your intensity level (the brighter the light, the more intense the treatment).

Frequently Asked Questions

• How long does it take to see results from red light therapy devices?

  For skin-care devices specifically, you’ll likely have to use red light therapy for six to eight weeks to see results, “though you may see changes in your skin sooner than that,” says Yadav. There are other considerations that can effect the immediacy of the results. “Some folks notice improvements after just a few sessions, while others might need more time to feel the benefits,” adds Mehta. “It really depends on factors like the specific condition being treated, the severity of symptoms, and how consistently you use the therapy.”
  

• How consistently do you need to use red light therapy devices to see results?

  You’ll also have to keep using the device regularly to maintain the results, Mehta says. For acute injuries or temporary pain flare-ups, you might find that consistent use of red light therapy provides lasting relief even after you stop using the device regularly, says Mehta. “But for chronic conditions, you might need to keep up with your red light therapy routine to maintain those benefits,” he explains.

• Do I need to use eye protection when using a red light therapy device?

  Red light is not harmful to eyes, though it might be uncomfortable if you're sensitive to light. Consider angling the device away from your eyes to offer protection.

• How long should a red light therapy session last?

  Typical sessions range from 10 to 20 minutes.

• Are there any side effects from using red light therapy devices?

  There are no documented side effects from using red light therapy devices, as the treatments are generally well-tolerated. If you experience any itching, sensitivity, or warming sensations, these are usually temporary. If effects persist, you should contact a dermatologist.